November 22, 2011

Sabahan happy with development of O&G industry by Petronas

KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans are happy and welcome Petronas’ efforts to develop the oil and gas industry in the state, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman told the state assembly yesterday.

He said the sector’s growth provided jobs and businesses to the people.

“This sector will become the new source of the state’s economic growth and will change the state economic transformation scenario,” he said when replying to Ahmad Bujang (BN-Sindumin) during the question-and-answer session.

Ahmad had sought the state government’s assurance to local contractors eligible to part take in the urea fertiliser manufacturing plant to be built in Sipitang.

Musa said Petronas’ commitment was proven via the national oil corporation’s huge investments in several mega upstream and downstream projects worth more than RM45 billion.

Petronas had awarded contracts to 29 Sabah-based licensed companies to undertake oil and gas-related work in the state since January 2005 until November 10 this year, said Musa, who is also State Finance Minister. He also said 159 Sabahans had been recruited to fill various posts at the Petronas office in the state between January and October this year. Forty-two people had been appointed to executive positions, 40 hired as permanent staff, two as contract employees and 117 appointed to non-executive positions.

As of September this year, the Sabah Oil and Gas Terminal (SOGT) project in Kimanis, had hired 470 locals to work in the companies involved in the RM4.6 billion massive project. The first phase costing RM3.8 billion is slated for completion in 2013.

“I wish to give an assurance that the state government will continue to cooperate with Petronas to ensure the national oil company continues to be sensitive and proactive in offering opportunities and helping Sabahans to venture into the oil and gas sector,” he said.

Musa said the state government appreciated Petronas’ valuable contributions to upgrade the skills and qualifications of the younger set in Sabah to actively participate in the booming oil and gas industry. — Bernama